Expressing the infinite expanse through kanji characters brushed in shades of ink. Lying among the characters on the canvas, creating humanized works. Designing calligraphy to exude personality and authority. Embedding characters with a message for the coronavirus-plagued era. Discover the calligraphic world of Kyoto through the calligraphers who find freedom in wielding their brushes, while keeping a solid footing in tradition.

Tokonoma are a unique feature of tatami rooms, originally found in affluent households. Through the centuries, they slowly became standard fixtures for all social classes, including commoners. These alcoves were places of prayer for Buddhist monks, symbols of power for samurai, and condensed expressions of hospitality and beauty in the world of tea. Discover how Tokonoma function in worship, and as places of welcome and spaces to admire artistic objects.

Beans are a beloved food eaten every day in Kyoto, but they are also a sacred legume used in imperial rites. Soybeans arrived in Japan along with Buddhism in the 6th century and were a mainstay in the vegetarian cuisine of monks. Adzuki beans, brought back from China by the famed monk Kukai in the 9th century, are used in auspicious foods to ward off misfortune. Discover how beans are more than mere cooking ingredients in the ancient capital, where they play a vital role in rituals and customs.